Demonstrations by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy CORD are getting violent each coming Monday. On Monday, businesses along Moi Avenue closed down for hours as the police engaged CORD demonstrators.
The city was generally chaotic as people ran heater skater succumbing for safety from the projected teargas from the police and the armed forces.
It is estimated that property worth millions was destroyed as rowdy demonstrators threw stones at the passing motorists. Business people too along Moi Avenue are counting losses as some of the demonstrators went into a looting spree.
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Stalls and shops selling phones and clothes were targeted and most traders had no time to save their merchandise. Innocent people who were caught between the rowdy youths lost such valuables as phones, ornaments and shoes.
Many people were injured during the Monday incident with a big number of the casualties being as a result of the brutal force from the police. The police have been blamed for applying lethal force against the demonstrators as many who were injured were beaten senselessly.
Hell broke loose even before the CORD leader Raila Odinga addressed the chanting and highly psyched crowd. CORD has vowed to continue with the demonstrations each Monday until such a time that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission commissioners will be out of office.
As much as article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya gives every citizen a right to demonstrate, the same constitution does not permit one’s right to infringe on someone else’s right. Article 251 of the Constitution of Kenya gives what should be done in the event of the removal of a commissioner holding a constitutional office.
A petition has to be presented in Parliament laying grounds on which the commissioner is to be removed from office. Demonstrations are still going on. The teargas is still being brought it. Businesses are still being affected and yet 2017 is beckoning. For how long shall this go on?
Article by Juma Fred.